The Vocational College of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM), in collaboration with UGM Innovation and Creativity Hub (GIK UGM), hosted Inovokasia 2025 under the theme Creative Sustainability.
Held on Sep. 22-23, 2025, at GIK UGM and the Teaching Industry Learning Center of SV UGM, the event served as a platform for collaboration among vocational education, industry, government, and communities to advance sustainability.
“This is the third year we have organized Inovokasia, and we are committed to continuously delivering quality programs with an emphasis on collaboration,” said Director of GIK UGM, Dr. Alfatika Aunuriella Dini.
Dr. Dini explained that this year’s program combined vocational expertise with creativity and community empowerment.
In addition to an innovation exhibition, participants could join a job fair and workshops involving multiple stakeholders.
“This time, we are collaborating with 24 companies and industries to present an innovation showcase for both the public and academia,” she added.
Interactive workshops played a crucial role in this year’s event. Four sessions featured lecturers, practitioners, and alumni who provided hands-on experiences for participants.
According to Dr. Dini, these activities were designed to inspire and encourage the audience to create impactful initiatives that benefit both communities and society at large.
The Vocational Innovation Exhibition highlighted 26 selected works from various vocational institutions, ranging from vocational high schools to universities.
Dean of SV UGM, Professor Agus Maryono, noted that the exhibition created a strategic space to connect creative ideas with industrial opportunities.
“Without industry, it is like pedaling with one leg; with industry, we can move forward more strongly with both legs,” he remarked.
Professor Maryono also underscored the importance of improving both the quality and quantity of vocational students in Indonesia to remain globally competitive.
He emphasized that mindset and work patterns must go hand in hand so vocational graduates can respond to real societal challenges.
“Indonesia needs to increase the number of people choosing vocational pathways while strengthening their quality, so that vocational education can genuinely contribute to sustainable development,” he stated.
The event concluded with a Public Dialogue that brought together academics, industry practitioners, government representatives, and community members to formulate strategies for developing creative and competitive vocational education.
The forum also reaffirmed UGM’s role in promoting sustainability-oriented innovation.
“Inovokasia 2025 is not merely an exhibition but part of a broader vocational innovation process initiated by UGM to address global challenges,” said UGM Vice-Rector for Research, Business Development, and Cooperation, Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko.
Through Inovokasia 2025, UGM reaffirmed its commitment to preparing globally competitive vocational graduates who make meaningful contributions to society.
Dr. Hadmoko highlighted that cross-sector collaboration at the event represents a strategic step in strengthening the ties between education, industry, and the community.
“We hope vocational graduates will not only ask how they can find work, but also consider what problems they can solve,” he concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian